Creative Spotlight: Grace Goad

May 4, 2016 Nichole McVeigh

I came across Grace Goad's work through her mother, Leisa Hammett...and I came across Leisa through Jen Lee's Indie Kindred Creative Community! I have connected with so many creatives through the Indie Kindred Community, and am so grateful and inspired by these individuals.

As you will see, Grace has autism, and her mother answered questions for her in this interview. I am so grateful that mothers like Leisa exist in this world - what special women both Leisa and Grace are. I don't usually do this, but I have decided to include Grace's bio here, so you can see all she has been able to do, with the help of her mother (her bio is rather amazing - you can see it at the end of this interview).

Creative Spotlight: Andy Schneider

April 6, 2016 Nichole McVeigh

I met Andy Schneider's wife, Hope Lafferty, through a local writing group in Nashville. She had so many interesting things to talk about, one of which was her husband. I learned that he was a musician, and since I have a musical life (playing classical piano), I knew straight away that I wanted to have him on the blog.

More recently, I've come to know Andy through his "Happy Hour with Andy Schneider" variety webshow. He sings and tells jokes...it's definitely a light-hearted time! Andy recently launched a site on Patreon, to support his webshow as well. Patreon is a great way to support Creatives - I hope you'll check it out.

Creative Spotlight: Scale Model

November 26, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

Embody Your Muse - Scale Model - Danielle Shields

Scale Model is an indie rock/pop band based in Nashville, TN. They combine interweaving guitars and synthesizers with catchy vocal melodies and a danceable rhythm section to create a sound that transcends the staples of pop. They will be performing at The High Watt in Nashville on Saturday, December 6.

Scale Model is: Megan Rox - vocals/synth, David Johnson - guitar, Steve Cross - drums/programming

I met Megan Rox last year through a local coaching program, and was quickly drawn to her passion and love for music. We became friends not long after meeting, and I am so grateful for her. On stage, she is a powerhouse, and totally in a zone. Off stage she has a passion for helping people, and the knowledge to facilitate healing as well. I am excited for you to meet her and one of Scale Model's other band members, Steve Cross, on Embody Your Muse!

Creative Spotlight: Amanda Cantrell Roche

October 22, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

Lucent Vignette Photography - Amanda Cantrell Roche

I met Amanda Cantrell Roche a few years ago at an art event in Nashville, Tennessee. She was dancing with some of the members of Blue Moves Modern Dance Company, and I was so impressed with her passion for dance and the grace with which she moved. As a friend, she impresses me even more today. Amazing.

Amanda is passionate about human rights, something that has been of utmost importance to her since her teens, and that intensity shows through in the social justice pieces she choreographs. As you will see here, though; she not only choreographs, she writes and leads workshops as well. I attended her "Boundaries: An Exploration Through Writing and Movement" workshop last year, and came away with a deeper understanding of why I'd set boundaries - some intentional and some reflexive - and whether or not they were all needed at this point in my life.

Blue Moves, the modern dance company Amanda co-founded, will be performing Burning Blue, an evening of fire-inspired dance and theatre at Cumberland Park on Nashville's East Bank on October 25th - this weekend! Amanda's newest social justice piece, "Divine Sparks", will debut that evening. The event is free to attend, you need only RSVP on Facebook.

Creative Spotlight: Alena Hennessy

October 8, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

I met Alena Hennessy through her book first, Cultivating Your Creative Life, and more recently in person at The Strawberry Patch Summer Mart in Nashville, TN. She is a lovely artist, author, “facilitator of self-love and magic," and holds workshops and online courses where she really encourages people to develop and strengthen their own personal aesthetic.

Alena's art is full of whimsy, and her use of colour makes her pieces just dance. She is more recently offering an interesting project called Co-Lab: Paint, Paper, and iPhoneography Magic. From her website: "This is a brand new online class created by myself and the brilliant Susan Tuttle, where we bring the world of paint, paper, and photo (plus so much more) together in one brilliant virtual experience!" I am so happy to introduce you to Alena!